I remember when I was young
Listening to Elton was so much fun
With Greatest Hits I got my start
Soon all his music had a place in my heart

But the biggest kick I ever got
Was growing up with our “Lion King” of rock
While others came and went through the years
He’s still standing making all of us cheer

Well, the Rocket Man rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can’t keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh lawdy Mama those concert nights
With Elton and the Band up in lights
The Rocket Man rocking is out of sight

The years went by and his music’s still alive
Elton’s still touring, giving fans such a ride
And now he’s got a beautiful family
David, Elijah and Zachary

But nothing will ever kill the thrills we got
Burning up to our “Lion King”of rock
Learning fast as the years went past
That our Rocket Man was (thankfully) made to last

Well, the Rocket Man rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can’t keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh lawdy Mama those concert nights
With Elton and the Band up in lights
The Rocket Man rocking is out of sight

I remember when I was young
Listening to Elton was so much fun
For forty years I have followed him
And that’s the story of the Captain and the Kim

(Apologies to Bernie for borrowing your words and song structure, but I wanted to wish Elton a Happy Birthday in my own way).

If you were kind enough to read my last post, you’ll know that two of my favorite things – IBM and Sir Elton John – came together at InterConnect 2016 on February 24.

As expected, it was an amazing concert. Everyone I talked with was absolutely ecstatic, and Sir Elton told us that we were “something else.” That of all the times he’d played the MGM Grand Arena, we were “the best.” (Yes, he used those exact words).

Anyway, there’s this notion in the world of Elton fandom of something known as “EJ Magic” – when two things seem to serendipitously come together because of Elton (directly or indirectly). Perhaps it’s an unexpected front row seat; or it could be a new best friend you meet through your Elton kinship; that you just happened to be in West Hollywood for a “pop-up” concert; or maybe even a chance meeting with a band member.

I experienced my own form of EJ Magic around the InterConnect concert. Perhaps not in the classic sense, but one that struck me anyway. Let me explain.

Before the concert, I asked my Facebook friends to send some EJ Magic my way in the chance that I would possibly get to meet him. And so many did, thank you.

Well, as it turns out, I didn’t get to meet him, but I do believe I experienced a dose of EJ Magic nonetheless.

Here’s why:

So many people at IBM tried very hard to make the meeting with Elton happen for me, I was really touched. I was offered a VP’s photo op pass (but they couldn’t be exchanged); by final count, I could have ended up with 4 wristbands that got me on the floor. I ended up with 3rd row seats right in front of Elton’s piano bench (the second best seats I’ve ever had at an EJ concert); someone even saved a souvenir photo op pass and hand delivered it to the front desk at my hotel (in the middle of the night, I might add). And so many emails were sent on my behalf. And that’s what I know about.

Let’s just say, I got teary eyed when I picked up the souvenir at the front desk the next morning. Maybe a little because I was that close to meeting him (hey, I’m only human), but mostly because I realized how many really good, really nice, really thoughtful IBMers there are out there.

I don’t want to embarrass anyone by calling out their names, but you know who you are and I just wanted to thank you. I also wanted you to know how much it means to me that you tried…and that through your thoughtfulness, I feel a renewed fondness for this great company that we all work for.

And that little reminder – that I work with such special people and for such a special company – is my “EJ Magic.”

A while ago, I wrote about why I’ve stayed with IBM for 33+ years, and I failed to mention perhaps the biggest reason, which is the people of IBM. Truly. IBMers are the best. Even Sir Elton said so!

Always Captain Fantastic!

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All Quiet on the Western Front
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Between Seventeen and Twenty
Birds
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Candle in the Wind
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Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
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Come Down In Time
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Club at the End of the Street
Curtains
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Elton’s Song
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Hay Chewed
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I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)
I Just Can’t Wait to be King
I Must Have Lost it on the Wind
Idol
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Japanese Hands
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Love Builds a Garden
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Made in England
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Out of the Blue
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Sixty Years On
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Song for Guy
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Step into Christmas
The Bitch is Back
The Captain and the Kid
The Circle of Life
The Greatest Discovery
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This Song Has No Title
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We All Fall in Love Sometimes
Weight of the World
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